Republican primary for coroner is Tuesday

CANTON - The only St. Lawrence County-wide primary race Tuesday pits three Republicans against each other for two coroner positions.

I would encourage people to go out there and vote, said June H. Wood, Hopkinton, the only incumbent running.

Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m.

Russell B. Lawrence III, Morristown, a long-time coroner is retiring, which has encouraged others to run. In addition to Republicans Steven M. Cary, Canton, and Kevin J. Crosby, Morristown, Democrat Eric J. Warner, Lisbon, is running. He will be on the ballot in the general election in November.

Ms. Wood is in her third term as a coroner and believes her experience is key to her campaign.

She is a licensed funeral home director, a member of the Parishville-Hopkinton Fire Rescue & Dive Team, a rescue squad captain in critical care, an advanced emergency medical technician with Tri-Town Rescue Squad and an instructor in advanced EMT at SUNY Canton. She assists at autopsies and is accredited as a medical/legal death scene investigator through the New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners.

She is active with the Stop-DWI program, acting as the coroner at mock drills.

Ive been around, she said.

Mr. Crosby believes his experience in the fire and EMS fields would serve him well as coroner. He is chief of the Morristown Fire Department, an EMT and superintendent of public works in the village of Morristown.

Mr. Crosby said he thinks having coroners spread geographically around the county makes sense even though they respond wherever they are needed.

Mr. Cary also believes he has the experience to be coroner. He is a licensed funeral home director, working with Joseph E. White, Russell, another coroner, at OLeary Funeral Service, Canton, and has been a coroners assistant. He has volunteered with fire and rescue services in Canton and Potsdam.

I see all ends of what the job entails, Mr. Cary said. Ive worked a lot with June.

Jamie Sienkiewycz, Massena, is the fourth coroner in the St. Lawrence County. His post is on the ballot this year.

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